SW Teacher Named Semifinalist

A South Winneshiek teacher is in the running for a share of $1 million. Melissa Hageman is one of two Iowans and 52 semifinalists total for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools 2018 Prize for Teaching Excellence, according to information emailed Thursday by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools.

Two rounds of judging remain to narrow the field down to 18 winners who will split the award.

The top three winners get $100,000. South Winneshiek’s share would be $70,000 with the remaining money going to Hageman individually.

“These semifinalists represent amazing depth and breadth in high school skilled trades education, and they exhibit incredible enthusiasm for teaching students to work with their hands, to love learning and be prepared for the future,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “We are thrilled to recognize their exceptional teaching and to raise the profile of their excellent work through these awards.”